Crime
Deadly Robbery at Green Hills Mall Leads to Shooting, Fatal Crash on I-65 in Berry Hill
BERRY HILL, TN — An attempted robbery in the parking lot of Green Hills Mall escalated into a fatal shooting and a subsequent crash on Interstate 65, leaving one person dead and causing significant traffic disruptions.
According to Metro Nashville Police, the incident began when a man carrying shopping bags from high-end stores was approached by two suspects in the mall’s parking lot.
The situation quickly turned violent, resulting in a shooting.
The victim of the robbery fled the scene, and police are actively searching for him as part of the ongoing investigation.
Following the shooting, the suspects attempted to flee the area in a vehicle, which later crashed on I-65 Northbound near mile marker 80 in Berry Hill.
The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger survived and was taken into custody by responding officers.
The severity of the crash and the active investigation led to multiple lane closures on I-65 Northbound.
Additionally, both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-440 were temporarily shut down as authorities processed the scene and collected evidence.
Traffic is being diverted from I-65 NB at mile marker 80 to help alleviate congestion.
Police have not yet released the identities of the deceased driver or the arrested passenger.
The motive behind the attempted robbery remains under investigation, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Metro Nashville Police are working to locate the robbery victim, who left the scene before officers arrived.
His account is considered critical to understanding the sequence of events that led to the deadly outcome.
Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes as investigators continue to work at both the mall and interstate scenes.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Orlando, Fla. — Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruz’s partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruz’s partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
“When they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,” Anthony Cruz said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt — a shirt with a bullet hole.”
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruz’s family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruz’s memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the club’s property.
“I didn’t know the victim, but from everything I’ve been told, I wish I had,” Cooper said. “He seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.”
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.